AI Express may launch Madurai-Dubai flights soon

Sharjah’s Air Arabia too keen to operate flights to Madurai by this Diwali

By

Staff

PublishedTuesday, September 18, 2012

Low-cost carrier Air India Express is likely to operate flights from Madurai to Dubai and Muscat soon, a senior official of the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TNCCI) said yesterday.

Addressing a media meet in Madurai on Monday on the eve of first full-fledged international flight service from Madurai to Colombo by SpiceJet, S. Rethinavelu, Senior President of TNCCI said that Madurai airport was all set to occupy a prominent position in the international air map.

The chamber is also holding direct talks with Air Arabia, the Sharjah-based UAE national budget airlines, which had expressed keen interest in launching flights out of Madurai as early as the upcoming Diwali season.

According to Indian daily The Hindu Air Arabia’s officials have urged the trade body to impress upon the Central government to expeditiously accord the requisite clearance.

Further, Mihin Lanka, a low-cost airline based in Colombo, was expected to launch services to Madurai in December.

Rethinavelu urged the Central government to include Madurai airport in the bilateral air service agreements with Malaysia, Singapore, UAE and other Gulf countries as airlines in those countries have expressed interest in operating flights to Madurai. The non-inclusion of Madurai airport in the treaties was holding them back, he said.